Tag: Finasteride

The standard prescription for finasteride to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a daily dose of 5 mg. This raises a common question: **Can I take finasteride every other day for an enlarged prostate?** Medical guidelines strongly advise against altering this daily regimen without professional guidance.

About 50% of men aged 51 to 60 have an enlarged prostate, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) [1.9.1]. A common question is: **does 1 mg finasteride shrink the prostate**, or is it only for hair loss?

Over 80% of men will experience some level of hair loss by age 80, and nearly half of women experience it by age 50. For most, a common cause is androgenetic alopecia, and understanding what is the most common medication for hair loss is the first step toward effective treatment. The two most widely used and FDA-approved options are minoxidil and finasteride.

Over 70% of adults with alopecia report experiencing depression or anxiety, underscoring the significant mental health impact of hair loss itself. This can complicate the question of whether treatments like minoxidil affect mental health or if the underlying condition is the primary cause of distress.

Affecting an estimated 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States, androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss [1.11.2]. For those seeking solutions, the critical question often is: is there a safe DHT blocker to effectively manage this condition?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects over half of men in their 50s and up to 90% of men in their 80s. For men with symptomatic BPH, finasteride is a common medication prescribed to help manage symptoms. This medication helps shrink the prostate and relieve urinary symptoms over time.

Dutasteride can suppress serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by up to 90%, while finasteride reduces it by about 70% [1.4.1, 1.4.2]. This raises the question: can I take dutasteride and finasteride together for even better results?

In clinical trials, sexual side effects from finasteride occur at low rates, with some studies showing between 2.1% and 3.8% of users reporting issues like erectile dysfunction or decreased libido [1.2.3, 1.4.1]. Understanding the data is the first step in learning how to stop worrying about finasteride side effects.

Studies show that about 90% of men with male pattern hair loss may benefit from taking finasteride [1.2.3]. This success rate leads many to ask: is finasteride worth the risk of its potential side effects?

While finasteride is generally considered safe, with a low incidence of adverse effects, some reports have connected its use to neurological issues. This has led to critical questions in the medical community and among patients: **Does finasteride cause neuropathy**? This article delves into the available evidence regarding this potential link.